Eclectus Parrot Lifespan (How Long Does Eclectus Parrot Live?)

Last Updated on December 27, 2023 by Ali Shahid

The first thought of a parrot owner who brings home a new pet like the Eclectus parrot is its lifespan. As our topic is the Eclectus parrot lifespan, we will discuss how long do Eclectus parrot lives. Scientists have agreed that Eclectus parrots have an average lifespan of 30 years in captivity and 50 years in the wild.

Interestingly, Eclectus parrots kept in captivity live a shorter lifespan than their wild counterparts. The reason for this is that owners are unaware of the dietary requirements of Eclectus parrots. These parrots have long digestive tracts and need a diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Due to a lack of understanding about their specific dietary requirements, Eclectus parrots often have shorter lifespans in captivity.

The oldest recorded Eclectus parrot lived 28.5 years at the San Diego Zoo. However, in their natural habitat, they can live up to 50 years. As a pet owner, it’s crucial to know and provide for these unique dietary needs to ensure your parrot lives a long and healthy life.

Eclectus Parrot Lifespan in Captivity

Eclectus parrots have a shorter lifespan in captivity, around 30 years. However, some experts believe this species may live as long as 50 to 75 years. According to The animal aging and longevity database, a specimen at the San Diego Zoo lived for 28.5 years. In the four years before its death, it stopped reproducing.

The reason for the shorter lifespan of Eclectus parrots in captivity is often due to owners not understanding their dietary needs. As previously mentioned, Eclectus parrots need a diet rich in fiber because of their longer digestive tracts. Unfortunately, many of these birds primarily receive pellet-based diets in captivity, which doesn’t meet their nutritional requirements, leading to a reduced lifespan.

There have been reports that these parrots are capable of living for up to 40.8 years in captivity, but this has not been confirmed.

Eclectus parrot lifespan in the wild

Eclectus parrots tend to live much longer in their natural habitat, with a lifespan of around 50 years, compared to about 30 years in captivity. Several reasons explain this difference. In the wild, these parrots enjoy a diverse and nutritious diet that includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

They also stay active by flying and searching for food, which keeps them physically and mentally healthy. Moreover, wild Eclectus parrots face less stress since they aren’t confined to cages or aviaries. All these factors together contribute to their extended lifespan when they’re living freely in their natural environment.

Eclectus Parrot Life Cycle

In their natural habitat, female Eclectus parrots typically lay a pair of eggs within the confines of a nest hollow, where they undergo an incubation period lasting between 28 to 30 days. Conversely, when these birds are in captivity, this incubation phase can vary slightly, ranging from 26 to 30 days.

Interestingly, when these chicks first emerge from their shells, it’s quite challenging to determine their gender. However, as they approach their one-month mark, subtle yet distinct feathering patterns begin to manifest: males showcase vibrant green hues, while females exhibit a striking scarlet shade. As these young ones mature, they take their initial flight between 11 and 12 weeks.

Achieving sexual maturity becomes evident between the ages of 18 months to 3 years, but it’s not until they reach the 4 to 6-year mark that they usually engage in successful breeding for the first time.

Causes of Death in Eclectus Parrots

Eclectus parrots are vulnerable to a range of health challenges that can significantly impact their longevity. A primary threat to these birds is Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), a contagious viral ailment that compromises their immune defenses.

This disease manifests through symptoms like feather loss, beak abnormalities, and weakened immune responses, making them more susceptible to subsequent infections. Another serious health concern is Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), which affects the proventriculus or the bird’s primary stomach, leading to digestive complications and nutritional deficiencies.

Respiratory ailments like aspergillosis and chlamydiosis are also potential threats to Eclectus parrots, posing fatal risks if not promptly addressed. Additionally, these birds face unforeseen risks of sudden death, often attributed to accidental poisoning from ingesting harmful substances such as toxic metals, specific plants, or common household chemicals.

Factors Affecting the Lifespan of Eclectus Parrot

Based on the discussion above, Eclectus parrots can live shorter lives in captivity than they do in the wild. Despite improvements since the 1980s, when people were still becoming accustomed to this parrot’s needs, they still did not live as long as they could.

Considering that, what can you do to ensure that your Eclectus parrot reaches the elusive age of 40.8 years? Could they even live the 50 years they are supposed to be able to live in the wild?

Although diet plays an important role, there are also more general aspects of care that should be considered.

1. Diet

So, what’s the deal with the Eclectus parrot diet? Their digestive system is longer than that of most other parrots. As a result, they can break down higher amounts of fiber more effectively, as they digest food more thoroughly.

It is common for Eclectus parrots to consume a wide variety of foods in the wild, including fruits, nuts, flowers, flower buds, and seeds. Captive parrots cannot be fed a standard parrot diet, and they are more sensitive than other parrot species.

A longer digestive tract may result in them absorbing more nutrients from their food, sometimes to an excessive degree. As a consequence, obesity and other metabolic disorders may develop, which may prove fatal

2. Poisonous Food

Apart from the food that is technically deemed unhealthy for a parrot, poisonous food is far more dangerous. All parrots, including Eclectus parrots, suffer from allergies.

So, it is imperative for people to carefully examine what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable for them to consume.

3. Food high in salt, fat, and sugar

You must be aware of the foods that are harmful to your parrot when you are raising it on your own.

As a general rule, they are more likely to die if they consume high levels of salt, fat, or sugar. They will not die immediately, but their life will gradually deteriorate as a result of these components.

4. Predators

There is no guarantee that a bird will be completely safe if it lives with humans. There is still the possibility of being eaten (although it is much less of a concern these days).

It is generally necessary to keep their predatory pets apart or explain to them that this is not food if you have a dog, cat, or snake at home. The cats are particularly fond of small pets such as budgies.

However, Eclectus can grow to be significantly larger than budgies, and in most instances, small cats shouldn’t pose a problem. Plus, you have to keep an eye out for wild animals in your house or if your parrot escapes!

5. Stress

When exposed to new environments, situations, and even toys, Eclectus parrots in captivity can suffer from stress.

The noise from vehicles, children, and animals is also associated with feather plucking, self-mutilation, and other destructive behaviors. As a result, their lifespan may be reduced.

6. A lack of vet visits

It is irresponsible to visit a veterinarian only if your bird appears ill. Parrot health issues often develop without apparent symptoms and must be addressed at this early stage.

Having regular veterinarian visits, about twice a year can assist in identifying and diagnosing hidden dangers. Thus, I recommend consulting a reputable avian veterinarian when you have problems with your bird.

What can you do to make an Eclectus Parrot live longer?

A common discussion topic on the topic of the lifespan of a parrot is how to extend its lifespan. Parrot owners always want their parrots to live longer, so it’s always a good thing to take a closer look at it.

Plus, your parrot deserves to be treated as if he or she is a fellow human who deserves to live a healthy lifestyle. As a result, we will explore a variety of practical ways to help your parrot’s longevity in the following paragraphs. Let’s see!

• Plenty of Exercises

Exercise is essential to a healthy and active animal, just as it is to any other subject related to longevity. Play with your parrot and bring him or her outside so he or she gets regular exercise.

The implementation of this daily can contribute significantly to their success in the long run.

• Healthy Diet

Even though it is important to exercise, you cannot exercise away a bad diet, which is why a healthy diet is especially important for parrots. In the wild, Eclectus parrots consume a variety of foods, including fruits, nuts, flowers, flower buds, and seeds.

In captivity, you can’t feed them a standard parrot diet, as they are more sensitive than other parrot species. It’s believed they absorb too many nutrients from their food because they have a longer digestive tract.

Don’t feed your Eclectus parrot like a budgie or cockatiel if you want it to stay healthy and live to be old. The gizzards of Eclectus do not have a preference for crunchy, dry foods. They require a variety of fruity, wet foods.

The question is how to accomplish this when the fruits found in supermarkets tend to be sugary and low in nutrients. There is no relation between them and the wild fruits that these birds consume. As an avian vet, I would tend to recommend:

• Cook vegetables like squash and sweet potatoes
• Lentils, pasta, rice, and other legumes and grains that have been cooked
• Mangos, pomegranates, figs

Make sure that vegetables and fruits comprise the majority of your bird’s diet, around 80%. In general, Eclectus owners avoid feeding their birds pellets. Occasionally, you may wish to consider offering them, but be sure they are all-natural.

• Vet Visit

Veterinary care is extremely important for all animals to receive since they can be treated for ailments and, more importantly, checkups can determine if anything is amiss.

Plus, if you have a question or an issue with your parrot, it’s always best to know who to turn to.

• Give them some love and attention

You should provide your parrot with plenty of attention and love, which is a somewhat less discussed topic. It is natural for parrots to seek out a considerable amount of affection and love as they are such social creatures.

The health and happiness of your parrot play a vital role in its longevity. Make sure you do everything in your power to ensure their well-being.

References:

1. https://www.webmd.com/pets/what-to-know-about-the-eclectus-parrot
2. https://eclectus-parrots.com/diet/
3. https://beautyofbirds.com/eclectus-food/